Bosnia and Herzegovina has a population of 3.3 million and scored 44.3% in the 2020 Atlas. The country has a low modern contraceptive prevalence rate (18%), which reaches 37% when including natural birth control methods. Information about contraceptives can only be found on forums, where women share their personal experience, but these are not detailed nor reliable sources of information. Some private gynaecological clinics offer more comprehensive information. Despite a highly decentralised system, regulations shaping access to contraception apply to the whole country. There is no reimbursement and/or price deduction for contraception or relevant medical interventions in Bosnia and Hercegovina. Services/contraceptives are not covered by compulsory insurance, including those for youth or other vulnerable groups. Regular or emergency contraception require a prescription, but can reportedly be purchased without a prescription in certain private pharmacies. Medical interventions, including IUD insertion or abortion, must be paid by the service user, with no exceptions for youth or members of vulnerable groups.
Recommendations:
- All women of reproductive age should enjoy reimbursement for contraception supplies. This should be ensured by the government, with a special focus on schemes for adolescents and vulnerable groups.
- Unbiased, coherent, and detailed online information on contraception should be provided, preferably with government support, and the endorsements of key stakeholder groups such as health care providers, academia, industry, and policymakers.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina should put efforts into sexual education and counselling services since the contraceptive prevalence rate (37) and the modern contraceptive rate (18) are low. Counselling should always go hand in hand with destigmatisation and awareness raising.
Breakdown by Criteria
Policies related to supplies and counselling
- Reimbursement
❌Reimbursement within the national health system
❌Special reimbursement for adolescents (until 19)
❌Special Reimbursement for vulnerable groups (unemployed/low income)
- Counselling
❌Available, accessible, and affordable consultation
✔️No need for third-party consent
✔️Legal status (marital, citizenship) is not a barrier
- Prescription requirements
✔️Availability of emergency contraception without prescription
✔️Availability of self-administered hormonal contraception without prescription
Availability of online information
- Type of online information
Website provided by other online resources
✔️Number of contraceptives - good
❌Info on costs of contraceptives
❌Info on where to get contraceptives
- User friendliness
✔️Regional or minority language included
✔️Web design
✔️Discoverability of the website
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